Highland Park 40 Year Old, Spring 2019 Release, is one of the oldest and rarest whiskies from the Orkney distillery: four decades of single malt built from just five refill casks, then given a final decade in first-fill sherry casks. Presented upright in an open oak frame with the Spring 2019 Release name across the top, it is a centrepiece bottle for a serious Scotch collection.
The story of this batch begins with five refill casks laid down before 1979. Highland Park vatted those five casks together in 2008 and moved the whisky into first-fill American oak sherry-seasoned casks for its last ten years of maturation. That long second stage layers rich dried fruit, dark chocolate and spice over the honeyed, gently smoky character Highland Park is known for, while the decades in refill wood keep the spirit balanced rather than dominated by oak.
Highland Park releases its oldest whiskies in small batches as the casks reach their peak, so each release has its own character. This Spring 2019 batch is bottled at 43.2% ABV, a strength that keeps the aromatic peat smoke and the delicate fruit in focus. The bottle carries Highland Park's embossed design and is set inside a pale oak frame with the release name and the distillery name engraved on the wood, making it as striking on display as it is in the glass.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Soft berry fruits, dark chocolate and silky vanilla, with rich dark fruits and nutmeg in the background.
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Palate: Sun-dried orange zest, toffee and dark chocolate, with freshly grated nutmeg and heather peat.
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Finish: Rich and long, with aromatic peat smoke and a surprising sweetness.
Specifications
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Producer: Highland Park
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Style: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Expression / Batch: 40 Year Old, Spring 2019 Release
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Age: 40 years
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Proof / ABV: 86.4 proof (43.2% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Five refill casks laid down before 1979, vatted in 2008, then first-fill American oak sherry-seasoned casks for the final decade
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Region: Orkney, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Pour it neat into a tulip glass and give it several minutes to breathe; a whisky of this age opens slowly, moving from berries and vanilla toward orange zest and smoke. If you add water, add only a drop or two. It pairs beautifully with dark chocolate or a mild cigar, and its oak frame makes it an exceptional gift for a milestone birthday, a retirement or a fortieth anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was Highland Park 40 Spring 2019 matured?
Five refill casks laid down before 1979 were vatted together in 2008, then the whisky spent its final decade in first-fill American oak sherry-seasoned casks.
What proof is Highland Park 40 Year Old Spring 2019?
It is bottled at 43.2% ABV, which is 86.4 proof.
Does it come in a presentation case?
Yes; the bottle is presented in an open oak frame engraved with the release name.
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